Submitted by RSD 17
(October 30, 2025) — Regional School District #17 is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski as the new Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Sullivan-Kowalski is deeply dedicated to supporting all students, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. She has built meaningful partnerships among families, district leaders and staff to collaborate on student academic achievement and well being. She is also recognized for resource stewardship, aligning district goals with the values of the community.
“Dr. Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski is an excellent choice to lead Regional School District #17 as its new Superintendent of Schools,” said Suzanne Sack, Chair of the Board of Education. “The Board of Education sought a leader who will unite our community around the needs of our students, inspire dedicated and experienced district staff, and manage our resources with integrity and care. We are thrilled to appoint Dr. Patricia Sullivan-Kowalski as Superintendent and are fully committed to supporting her long-term success in guiding our District.”
“I am honored to join Regional School District #17 as the Superintendent of Schools. I’m inspired by the shared dedication to student success and the strong sense of community that defines the district,” said Dr. Sullivan-Kowalski. “I look forward to partnering with our students, staff, families, and community members. Together, we will continue to foster a culture of collaboration and high expectations for all learners.”
The search was facilitated by consultants from Trumbull-based Cooperative Educational Services (C.E.S.), who guided the district’s search committee through the decision-making process by providing a leadership profile based on feedback from the district’s various stakeholders and facilitating the interview process with candidates. The consultants employed an advanced interview technique proven to demonstrate the candidates’ abilities to be successful in the leadership position by assessing their supervisory skills, qualities, and attributes against the established profile.
Dr. Sullivan-Kowalski brings 30 years of experience in educational leadership across Connecticut. As Assistant Superintendent for Meriden Public Schools, she directed and
oversaw Meriden’s special education, related services and counseling, leading 200 staff members and managing a $40million dollar budget. She has led numerous district-wide
initiatives focused on instructional excellence, student supports, and family-school partnerships, and as supervisor of several schools, she fostered strong leadership and teamwork, student success and operational efficiency. She holds a Doctorate in
Educational Leadership with a concentration in Comparative Education from the University of Bridgeport, a Sixth-Year Certificate in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut
State University, and a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, as well as a Bachelor of Science from Ithaca College.
Her doctoral research explored continuous professional development for principals, emphasizing the challenges faced by school leaders in urban settings. Dr. Sullivan-Kowalski is deeply dedicated to supporting all students, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. She has built meaningful partnerships among families, district leaders and staff to collaborate on student academic achievement and well being. She is also recognized for resource stewardship, aligning district goals with the values of the community.
Photo provided by RSD 17
